North Shore Design Show

My friend and interior decorator Yvonne Blacker, was one of the participants in the North Shore Design Show, held at the Wenham Museum. Visit Yvonne's blog Design Vignettes, to read more about the show. I was lucky to have my terrarium designs on display in Yvonne's "Modern Family" mudroom vignette. Having just done my first design show this past October, I could really appreciate all the hard work and planning that goes into making these fabulous vignettes.

My sister who happens to live in Wenham, agreed to be my date for the Gala. I had never attended this event and really did not know what to expect. As it turned out, it was standing room only and "the" place to be. Minus, the fact that my new shoes were killing my feet, we had a great time.

Yvonne had a fabulous "potting" sink from Designer Bath as one of her featured design items. It looks too beautiful for messy work but a great addition to any mudroom. I absolutely love the rustic base. One of my terrariums, appropriately placed, as though it had just been assembled.

My sister and I were drooling over this Peacock print from Circle Furniture. The colors in the print inspired Yvonne's color palette throughout the space. Yvonne's mudroom theme, did not miss a beat. There was a sense of practicality for everyday use while demonstrating that the space can still be beautiful.

My sister is a big fan of Honey Collins, whose space is pictured above. I was not familiar with Honey but very much enjoyed her relaxed family/living room vignette. Her choice of color, speaks volumes.  One of Honey's signature design features is her use of orange or tangerine tango as it is referred to in the design world.

Another view of Honey's space. The painted floor really picks up on her color theme. The gorgeous painting I imagine, was an inspiration for the direction this vignette took. The overall feeling is soothing to the eye.

Having been a rider, this spoke to me. If I had a mudroom... this would be my first addition to the space. How fun would this piece be in a home with a horse themed mudroom? Really fun...

Another unique addition to this vignette was this antler chandelier. This rustic piece would be perfect in my dinning room and add a bit of whimsy. Based on the sticker price, that will not be happening.

Love the skins... This space was designed by a gentleman from Boston College. The overall feeling... a fun, upscale, collegiate design. I pictured a "first apartment" post-graduation, assuming of course that you have procured a job.

Design is... what speaks to you, personally. The North Shore Design Show, proved to be a design extravaganza for the eyes. Plenty of design, eye candy to go around. I will definitely put it on my calendar for next year!






Until next time...L

Art in Bloom at the MFA

After my master class with Paula Pryke, my friend Maura, meet up with me in the cafe. Refreshments were necessary before embarking on our Art in Bloom tour. The first stop on our tour was this contemporary piece interpreted by the Weston Garden Club. The shape of the Calla lilies was absolutely perfect for capturing the essence of the inspiration.

Protea seemed to be a running theme this year for Art in Bloom and for my master class. The interpretation pictured above has an open feel, created by flower choice and placement. The wispy, swirly style throughout the design, picks up on the beautiful pattern of the inspiration.

This interpretation depicts the movement seen in the inspiration. Strong colors support the heavy feeling of the marble carving and flower placement helps us visualize the moving caravan.

This interpretation was designed by Bill Graham of Beautiful Things in Salem, Mass. Bill has been a guest speaker at my garden club, presenting his infamous Little Black Dress workshop. If you ever have the chance to attend one of his workshops, I highly recommend going.

My friend Maura and I loved the pairing of "baby" pink and aubergine in this interpretation. The contrast was stunning.

This design had such a natural appeal with the use of moss, succulents and a piece of fan coral. The arrangement was designed using two separate containers. An up close view, shows how the Canton Garden Club was able to join the two effortlessly.

This is the inspiration...

This is the design... done in the style of Ikebana. Ikebana is a Japanese floral art form focusing on a minimalist approach and emphasizing shape, line and form.

Tangerine, being a hot design color right now, was an ideal choice for this piece. The flower and fan placement mimic its inspiration beautifully.

The deep colors of this interpretation help to support the paintings strong color palate. The curved placement of the flowers, demonstrate the shape of the ladies fan and the circus ring, painted by the artist.

This was my favorite interpretation. I loved the angles of the design and how the flowers where placed in groupings. The inspiration for this design was of a ship in motion. Unfortunately, I could not get the painting and floral interpretation in one frame as the flash police were on my tail. Leaves are used again to create the waves lapping against the ship's hull.

After a few laughs and some inspiration, our tour came to an end. Spending time with a friend is the recipe for a perfect day, especially if it involves design. Thanks, Maura.




Until next time...L.

Paula Pryke Master Class

As part of the MFA Boston, Art in Bloom celebration, a master class was offered this year by Paula Pryke. I decided to take the class and follow up with a tour of Art in Bloom (post to follow). Paula Pryke is a British florist and author of many floral design books. Her latest, Simply Pink spoke to my lifelong love of pink, ask my Mom. Paula is well known for her hand tied bouquets which she demonstrated for us.

Here she is designing a hand tied bouquet with some of the same flower materials that we would be using for the master class. Paula talked about some of the trends in the business right now, one being "a getting back to nature approach" with a focus on technique. Birds of Paradise, grapevine, Protea, lemon leaf (Salal), raffia and raffia ribbon were used to create this masculine bouquet, as Paula referred to it. Suggesting that it might be given to a man for Valentine's Day.

We started our designs with a 16 cm. glass cube and wove a design with leaves. This would be used to hide the oasis. My leaves were highly variegated which made for a more interesting design aesthetic.

I was able to trim the tops of my woven design to allow for better access to my oasis. Creating more foam real estate as Dr. Steve of Rittners School of Floral Design, would say.

The greening process began with the use of Salal or lemon leaf.

Placement of Birds of Paradise and vine. Interestingly, my design neighbor decided to create her own design separate from Paula's plan.

With tangerine being the hottest design color right now, it was not surprising that Paula chose to use it in her design. Then, on to placing the Protea and Hypericum.

Up close you can see the variegated pattern of the leaves and how beautifully they add to the overall design. In an effort to save on time, the use of staples made things move more quickly. I'm sure there is a better application for creating this design, minus the staples.

Frankly this design is so large that it was difficult to get into one frame an tricky to drive home. I will be enjoying this in my home for the next week. On to more terrarium designing...






Until next time...L.

Terrarium Workshop

I am currently in love with terrariums. Specifically, ones designed with varieties of succulents and mosses. They are unique conversation pieces for any room in your home and give a real designer look to the space. The very best feature about these living miniature worlds is that they are ideal for the person who does not want to fuss much. Above, is a terrarium that I designed for a client.

I hosted a "Terrarium Workshop" last week inviting a bunch of friends, neighbors and fellow garden clubbers. I wanted to share my excitement over terrariums and what I have learned from making them. It ended up being a fun filled night with lots of visual interest to go around.

Each terrarium design was slightly different as I had an array of interesting vessels and succulents for the choosing. The designers began with container selection and rock placement. Adding rocks into a glass vessel can be a tricky task. I was hopeful that all vessels would make it safely through this process, and they did.

Having just returned from Naples, Florida, the design element for the evening was a starfish. With the natural appeal of terrariums, you can add any design element of your choosing. You may wish to add nothing and let the beautiful textures of the succulents speak for themselves.

Glass vessels of all shapes and sizes were used for the workshop. Some more traditional than others with each vessel adding to the unique visual presentation. No designs were compromised in this process, as designing is about thinking outside the box.

As you can see by the brown table covers, dirt was overflowing, signifying a good time was had by all. This baby is chock full...stick a fork in it, I think it's done.

My terrarium designers in all their glory...


Until next time...L.

A Botanical, Zimbabwean Experience

Enter here...

Angel Fish by John Gutsa - Cobalt Stone

Combine the unique designs of Zimbabwean sculpture with the Naples Botanical Garden and you begin to understand the experience. Time spent meandering along pathways of themed gardens is the recipe for a perfect day, at least for me.

Scenes from the Asia Garden with the Thai Pavillon centered inside this beautiful water garden.

The shiny spheres and rough texture of this sculpture caught my eye. I cannot tell if it is intentional in its design or abstract. Or, maybe a bit of both as I can see something different, each time I look.

I was complimented on my "spotting" ability by Mrs. van Otterloo (a seasoned traveler) when looking for a lunch location. It started out a bit shady but having forgotten sunscreen, my shoulders did not agree.

This is the real deal folks... not faux bois. I imagine that this would be the perfect inspiration for a faux bois table design. I would love to have this rustic beauty in my backyard.

The coral and beam pergola seen from the chattel house in the Caribbean Garden.

Visti Zimsculpt to learn more about these interesting sculptures and the artists behind the designs. This abstract sculpture reminds me of a graceful horse head.

Bending Bather by Gregory Mutasa - Springstone

This "Bending Bather" has gorgeous views siting atop the Brazilian Garden. 

Mom,  Mrs. van Otterloo and Mrs. Knapp

A fun day spent with these lovely ladies while my daughter and husband went up to Orlando to experience the Harry Potter Exhibit at Universal Studios. I think I may have picked the long straw on this occasion.



Until next time...L.

Penn Love

The first time I visited the University of Pennsylvania, I fell in love...  Since one of the loves of my life is currently attending university there, I have more reasons to be in LOVE.

What makes visiting the campus of Penn and Philadelphia unique is in the city's dedication to sculpture. For the design minded, there is visual interest, overflowing. A Smithsonian Institute survey stated that Philadelphia has the largest outdoor art collection with over 700 sculptures placed throughout the city. Pictured above is the monument of Benjamin Franklin sitting in front of College Hall.

Split Button by Claes Oldenburg

"The Button" sits directly across from the Ben Franklin monument, making a bold overstatement. The design story starts with sculptor Claes Oldenburg who pictured the plumb Franklin popping a button on his vest. He imagined that the button had split from the heavy foot traffic on Locust Walk, the heart of the Penn campus. Envisioning it finally landing here in front of Van Pelt Library.








This is the Addams Family Sculpture outside Charles Addams Fine Arts Hall. The silhouettes were created in honor of Charles Addams an architecture student from the 1930's. In order of appearance: Uncle Fester, Pugsley, Lurch, Morticia, Gomez, Wednesday, Grandmama and Cousin Itt.

Kelly Family Gates creates the entrance to the Charles Addams Fine Arts Hall. Designed by Mark Lueders, contest winner, MFA93' alumnus and sculptor. Hands and tools made of bronze to symbolize the making of paintings, drawings, sculpture and clay.

King Solomon

This bronze statue was created by Alexander Archipenko. This sculpture captures his cubist origins of mixing hard angles with hollow curved spaces.

A recent visit from Mom and Mimi to see a Dischord performance.

Until next time...L.